What treasures can be found in old scrapbooks.

Since the founding of the Albert Lea Art Center, board historians have saved newspaper clippings, photos, programs, and other memorabilia from various activities sponsored by arts enthusiasts. Just for fun, I thought we’d do a walk down “Albert Lea’s Art Memory Lane.”

In March 1959 during a painting class at the YMCA (located on North Newton Avenue) the dream of a non-profit Art Center was born. Lloyd Herfindahl was the class instructor and became the director of the new organization.

In July 1962 the first Art Festival was held in Central High School, rather than Central Park, because of rain.

In 1968 paintings by the late Ken Allen were exhibited. Ken had been the editor of the Albert Lea Tribune for many years and was active in the community.

In September 1975, the Art Center purchased the little church on West Main. It had been built in 1886 and housed five different denominations prior to its purchase by the arts group.

In October 1976 the first pumpkins were painted as an Art Center fund raiser. This project, so-sponsored by Security Bank Minnesota, still continues today. Also that year the first annual Collectibles and Junque Sale was held to raise funds to cover operating expenses.

In February 1978, works by local artists were displayed in the State Capitol in the office of Henry Savelkoul, House minority leader, in an effort to promote rural Minnesota artists.

In February 1980, the Valentine display included a 196-year-old valentine owned by Mrs. E. H. Ruhsam.

In 1982, Art Center members helped Ida Madison celebrate her 100th birthday. She had been an advocate of the arts for many years and one of her paintings is still in the Art Center’s permanent collection.

In February and March 1984, John Lacis, immigrant refugee from Latvia following World War II, taught a series of acrylic painting classes at the Art Center. He was well known in the area for his beautiful scenic views of his homeland.

In 1984 the Audubon Society held its meetings at the Art Center.

On July 25,1986, the fundraising committee announced the completion of a $125,000 fund drive to purchase the Mini-Mall owned by Carrish Theaters, the original Rivoli Theater. The Art Center members had been working for months to raise funds for the much needed larger building in a more accessible location.

In October 1986, the city of Albert Lea, Albert Lea Community Theatre and the Art Center co-sponsored a group of artists from China for several days. The artists set up a workshop for demonstrations and public viewing in the Green Room of the Civic Theater (now the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center). The Chinese artists were touring the state of Minnesota as a part of Gov. Rudy Perpich’s emphasis on the arts and international trade.

In 1989, the Art Center started a new collaboration with School District 241. Area elementary students displayed their drawings, paintings, and sculptures in the hallway in monthly exhibits. This eventually evolved into the annual elementary and secondary shows that are currently a part of the Art Center’s program.

The listing goes on and on. Activities, shows, classes, tours, movies, and a variety of other events have been sponsored and/or coordinated by the Albert Lea Art Center for the 50-year period from 1959 to 2009. It is so exciting to be a part of the celebration of our community’s art history. Please keep watching — there will be special events happening throughout this — our 50th anniversary year.

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center, which is sponsoring “The Anniversary Celebration of Arts & Artists” taking place at the Art Center, 224 S. Broadway Ave., Albert Lea, from Jan. 18 to Feb. 21. The open house will be held on Sunday, Jan. 18. The public is invited.